Tamper-Evident Consumer Product Packaging

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure is directed to a consumer product package which includes a base and a cover. The base includes a first surface defining an opening wherein the opening includes a pair of opposing opening edges; a pair of opposing flanges, each flange extending linearly from one of the opposing opening edges; and a second surface defining at least one sealing block wherein the at least one sealing block extends linearly from the second surface toward the pair of opposing flanges. The cover includes a pair of opposing clip arms, each clip arm extending linearly from the cover and including a detent for sealingly engaging one of the opposing flanges and an angled face for sealingly engaging the sealing block. The consumer product package can enable a tamper-evident seal between the base and the cover.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/599,121 entitled “Tamper-Evident Consumer ProductPackaging,” by Albert A. Werth filed Feb. 15, 2012, which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention relates in general to consumer product packagingand in particular to tamper-evident consumer product packaging.

BACKGROUND

Consumer product packaging can serve various functions for themanufacturer and the consumer. Consumer product packaging can provide ameans of protecting materials from damage during shipping, a means ofdisplaying products for sale by a retailer, and a means of securingproducts against theft, among other functions.

SUMMARY

Disclosed here is a tamper-evident product-packaging apparatus.

According to one aspect, a consumer product package comprises: a baseincluding: a first surface defining an opening wherein the openingincludes a pair of opposing opening edges; a pair of opposing flanges,each flange extending linearly from one of the opposing opening edges;and a second surface defining at least one sealing block wherein the atleast one sealing block extends linearly from the second surface towardthe pair of opposing flanges; and a cover including: a pair of opposingclip arms, each clip arm extending linearly from the cover and includinga detent for sealingly engaging one of the opposing flanges and anangled face for sealingly engaging the sealing block.

According to another aspect, a consumer product package comprises: abase including: a first surface defining an opening wherein the openingincludes a pair of opposing opening edges; a pair of opposing flanges,each flange extending angularly from one of the opposing opening edgestowards the other flange; and a second surface defining at least onesealing block wherein the at least one sealing block extends linearlyfrom the second surface toward the pair of opposing flanges; and a coverincluding: a pair of opposing clip arms, each clip arm extendinglinearly from the cover and including a detent for sealingly engagingone of the opposing flanges and an angled face for sealingly engagingthe sealing block.

In further embodiments, the at least one sealing block can include: apair of block sides extending linearly from the second surface towardthe pair of flanges; and a block top extending horizontally between thepair of block sides.

In further embodiments, the sealing block can have a trapezoidal shapeand wherein each of the block sides extends angularly towards the otherblock side and terminates at the block top.

In further embodiments, the detent and the opposing flanges can besealingly engaged thereby forming a tamper evident seal between the baseand the cover.

In further embodiments, the sealing block can be covered from directaccess to the sealing block.

In further embodiments, the base and the cover can be adapted to form apress-fit seal.

In further embodiments, the base and the cover can be adapted to form atamper-evident press-fit seal.

In further embodiments, the consumer product packaging can furtherinclude a means for hanging the tamper-evident product package from aretail display.

In further embodiments, the base and the cover can further comprise achamber for holding and displaying a consumer product.

In further embodiments, when the cover and the base are sealinglyengaged, there can be no direct access to the pair of opposing clip armsor the pair of opposing flanges.

In further embodiments, the block top can extend substantiallyperpendicular to the pair of opposing flanges.

In further embodiments, the block sides can extend in a differentdirection than the pair of opposing flanges.

In further embodiments, the pair of opposing opening edges can extend insubstantially the same direction as the block top.

In further embodiments, the the pair of opposing clip arms and/or thepair of opposing flanges can be adapted to be damaged if the sealingblock is attempted to be pried apart with a sufficient force. The damagecan be visually apparent to the naked eye.

These and other embodiments will be described in additional detailbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawingswherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout theseveral views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of thetamper-evident product packaging in an assembled configuration;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the tamper-evident productpackaging of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the tamper-evident productpackaging of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the tamper-evident product packaging ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the tamper-evident product packaging ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top elevational view of the tamper-evident product packagingof FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a bottom elevational view of the tamper-evident productpackaging of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the tamper-evident productpackaging of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the tamper-evident product packaging ofFIG. 4 through section B;

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the base of the tamper-evidentproduct packaging of FIG. 1 in a disassembled configuration;

FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of the base of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the base of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of the base of FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a top elevational view of the base of FIG. 10;

FIG. 15 is a bottom elevational view of the base of FIG. 10;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the base of FIG. 12 through section K;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the base of FIG. 12 through a portion ofsection K;

FIG. 18 is a front perspective view of the cover of the tamper-evidentproduct packaging of FIG. 1 in a disassembled configuration;

FIG. 19 is a top plan view of the cover of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a top elevational view of the cover of FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is a bottom elevational view of the cover of FIG. 18;

FIG. 22 is a side elevational view of the cover of FIG. 18;

FIG. 23 is a sectional view of the cover of FIG. 19 through section D;and

FIG. 24 is a sectional view of the cover of FIG. 19 through section J.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The consumer product package described in the embodiments below providesa means for protecting a consumer product from damage during shipping, ameans for displaying a consumer product in a retail outlet, and a methodof securing the consumer product within the consumer product packagingagainst theft. The consumer product package can also resist tamperingand provide evidence of attempted tampering.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of thetamper-evident product packaging 100 in an assembled configuration. Thecover 110 of the tamper-evident product packaging 100 includes a chamber130 for holding and displaying the consumer product as well as a means140 for hanging the tamper-evident product package from a retaildisplay.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the tamper-evident productpackaging of FIG. 1. The base 120 of the tamper-evident productpackaging 100 also includes a chamber 130 for holding and displaying aconsumer product that extends and seals the chamber within the cover 110when the base 120 and the cover 110 are in the assembled configuration.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the tamper-evident productpackaging of FIG. 1. The chamber 130 for holding and displaying aconsumer product is identified as partially within the cover 110 andpartially within the base 120.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the tamper-evident product packaging ofFIG. 1. The means 140 for hanging the tamper-evident product packagefrom a retail display is shown adjacent to the chamber 130 for holdingand displaying the consumer product. A section, B, is shown passingthrough the chamber 130 and a planar surface of the cover 110. Section Bwill be further described below in FIG. 9. The tamper-evident productpackaging illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 8 further includes a pair offeet members 300 disposed in the bottom region of the cover. FIG. 8 willbe described in more detail below. The pair of feet members 300 canassist to position the tamper-evident product packaging in the uprightposition to display the consumer product held therein. In certainembodiments, the pair of feet members may have a generally triangularshape. In other embodiments, the pair of feet members may have anydesired shape which allows the consumer product packaging to bepositioned in an upright manner for display. Also illustrated in FIG. 4is an opening 310 disposed adjacent to the chamber 130. The opening 310may provide access to a consumer to open the product packaging. Asillustrated, the opening 310 is present in both the cover and the basesuch that when the cover and base are engaged, the opening 310 in thecover and the opening 310 in the base substantially align. For example,a consumer can insert a knife or scissors in the opening 310 and cut theproduct packaging so as to easily access the consumer product within thechamber 130. Moreover, a consumer can cut the portion of thetamper-evident product packaging between the edge of the tamper-evidentproduct packaging and the opening so that the consumer does not have tocut all the way across the width of the entire tamper-evident productpackaging.

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the tamper-evident product packaging ofFIG. 1. The base 120 of the tamper-evident product packaging 100includes a surface surrounding the chamber defining a plurality ofsealing blocks 150. For example, in this embodiment there are foursealing blocks 150 located at the corners of the tamper-evident productpackaging. There can be any number of desired sealing blocks within thetamper-evident product packaging. The sealing blocks can further bearranged in any desired configuration, and can depend, in part, on thesize of the consumer product to be packaged. In certain embodiments,there may be a sufficient number of sealing blocks such that theconsumer product packaging is tamper-evident.

FIG. 6 is a top elevational view of the tamper-evident product packagingof FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a bottom elevational view of the tamper-evidentproduct packaging of FIG. 1. FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of thetamper-evident product packaging of FIG. 1. In each of FIGS. 6-8, thecover 110 and the base 120 of the tamper-evident product packaging 100are assembled to form the sealed chamber 130 for holding and displayinga consumer product.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the tamper-evident product packaging ofFIG. 4 through section B. In this embodiment, the base 120 includes afirst surface 160 defining an opening 170. The opening 170 in the firstsurface of the base includes a pair of opposing opening edges 180. Apair of opposing flanges 190 extends linearly from the opposing openingedges 180 toward the seal block 150 defined in a second surface 200 ofthe base 120. The sealing block 150 extends linearly from the secondsurface 200 of the base 120 toward the pair of opposing flanges 190. Thesection B also shows the cover 110 including a pair of opposing cliparms 210, each clip arm 210 extending linearly from the cover andincluding a detent 215 for sealingly engaging one of the opposingflanges 190 and an angled face 217 for sealingly engaging the sealingblock 150 on the second surface 200 of the base 120.

The seal between the base 120 and the cover 110 is tamper-evident. Thereis no access to release the clip arms 210 from the flanges 190 onceengaged. Attempts to pry apart the cover 110 and the base 120 when allcorners have been sealed can result in breakage of the clip arms 210 orthe flanges 190, thus providing evidence that an attempt has been madeto reach the consumer product inside the tamper-evident productpackaging. The seal is created by pressing, or forcing, the cover andthe base together until the clip arms engage the flanges and the sealingblock. The remaining figures are described only briefly, as they showthe cover and base in a disassembled configuration.

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the base 120 of the tamper-evidentproduct packaging of FIG. 1 in a disassembled configuration. In thisembodiment, a plurality of openings 170 and opposing flanges 190 can beseen at the corners of the chamber within the base.

FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of the base 120 of FIG. 10. In thisembodiment, a plurality of sealing blocks 150 can be seen at the cornersof the chamber 130 within the base 120.

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the base of FIG. 10. In this embodiment, aplurality of openings 170 and opposing flanges 190 can be seen at thecorners of the chamber within the base 120. A section, K, is shownpassing through the chamber, two openings 170, and two pairs of opposingflanges 190 within the base 120. Section K will be further describedbelow in FIGS. 16 and 17.

FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of the base of FIG. 10. In thisembodiment, a plurality of sealing blocks 150 can be seen at the cornersof the chamber within the base.

FIG. 14 is a top elevational view of the base 120 of FIG. 10. FIG. 15 isa bottom elevational view of the base 120 of FIG. 10. In each of FIGS.14-15, a portion of the sealed chamber 130 is shown for holding anddisplaying a consumer product.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the base 120 of FIG. 12 through sectionK. FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the base 120 of FIG. 12 through aportion of section K. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 16-17, eachflange 190 of the pair of opposing flanges extends angularly from one ofthe opposing opening edges 180 towards the other flange for enabling apress-fit seal between the pair of opposing flanges 190 and the pair ofopposing clip arms and the pair of opposing flanges and the sealingblock 150.

FIG. 17 further shows that the sealing block includes a pair of blocksides 220 extending linearly from the second surface of the base 120toward the pair of flanges 190. The sealing block 150 also includes ablock top 230 extending horizontally between the pair of block sides220. The sealing block 150 has a trapezoidal shape and each of the blocksides 220 extends angularly towards the other block side 220 andterminates at the block top 230.

FIG. 18 is a front perspective view of the cover 110 of thetamper-evident product packaging of FIG. 1 in a disassembledconfiguration. In this embodiment, the chamber 130 for holding anddisplaying the consumer product is shown as is the means 140 for hangingthe tamper-evident product package from a retail display.

FIG. 19 is a top plan view of the cover 110 of FIG. 18. A first section,D, is shown passing through the length of the cover 110. Section D willbe further described below in FIG. 23. A second section, J-J, is shownpassing through a corner of the cover. Section J-J will be furtherdescribed below in FIG. 24.

FIG. 20 is a top elevational view of the cover 110 of FIG. 18. FIG. 21is a bottom elevational view of the cover 110 of FIG. 18. FIG. 22 is aside elevational view of the cover 110 of FIG. 18. In each of FIGS.20-22, a portion of the sealed chamber 130 is shown for holding anddisplaying a consumer product.

FIG. 23 is a sectional view of the cover 110 of FIG. 19 through sectionD-D. FIG. 24 is a sectional view of the cover 110 of FIG. 19 throughsection J-J. In each of FIGS. 23-24, the opposing clip arms 210 extendfrom the cover 110 and each include a detent 215 for sealingly engagingone of the opposing flanges in the base. The opposing clip arms 210 alsoinclude an angled face 217 for sealing against the sealing block in thebase.

While this disclosure includes what is presently considered to be themost practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood thatthe disclosure is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, onthe contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalentarrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so asto encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as ispermitted under the law.

What is claimed is:
 1. A consumer product package comprising: a baseincluding: a first surface defining an opening wherein the openingincludes a pair of opposing opening edges; a pair of opposing flanges,each flange extending linearly from one of the opposing opening edges;and a second surface defining at least one sealing block wherein the atleast one sealing block extends linearly from the second surface towardthe pair of opposing flanges; and a cover including: a pair of opposingclip arms, each clip arm extending linearly from the cover and includinga detent for sealingly engaging one of the opposing flanges and anangled face for sealingly engaging the sealing block.
 2. The consumerproduct package of claim 1 wherein the at least one sealing blockincludes: a pair of block sides extending linearly from the secondsurface toward the pair of flanges; and a block top extendinghorizontally between the pair of block sides.
 3. The consumer productpackage of claim 2 wherein the sealing block has a trapezoidal shape andwherein each of the block sides extends angularly towards the otherblock side and terminates at the block top.
 4. The consumer productpackage of claim 1, wherein the detent and the opposing flanges aresealingly engaged thereby forming a tamper evident seal between the baseand the cover.
 5. The consumer product package of claim 4, wherein thesealing block is covered from direct access to the sealing block.
 6. Theconsumer product package of claim 1, wherein the base and the cover areadapted to form a press-fit seal.
 7. The consumer product package ofclaim 1, wherein the base and the cover are adapted to form atamper-evident press-fit seal.
 8. The consumer product package of claim1, further comprising a means for hanging the tamper-evident productpackage from a retail display.
 9. The consumer product package of claim1, wherein the base and the cover further comprise a chamber for holdingand displaying a consumer product.
 10. The consumer product package ofclaim 1, wherein when the cover and the base are sealingly engaged,there is no direct access to the pair of opposing clip arms or the pairof opposing flanges.
 11. The consumer product package of claim 1,wherein the block top extends substantially perpendicular to the pair ofopposing flanges.
 12. The consumer product package of claim 1, whereinthe pair of opposing opening edges extend in substantially the samedirection as the block top.
 13. The consumer product package of claim 1,wherein the sealing block is adapted to damage the pair of opposing cliparms or the pair of opposing flanges if the sealing block is attemptedto be pried apart with a sufficient force.
 14. A consumer productpackage comprising: a base including: a first surface defining anopening wherein the opening includes a pair of opposing opening edges; apair of opposing flanges, each flange extending angularly from one ofthe opposing opening edges towards the other flange; and a secondsurface defining at least one sealing block wherein the at least onesealing block extends linearly from the second surface toward the pairof opposing flanges; and a cover including: a pair of opposing cliparms, each clip arm extending linearly from the cover and including adetent for sealingly engaging one of the opposing flanges and an angledface for sealingly engaging the sealing block.
 15. The consumer productpackage of claim 14, wherein the block sides extend in a differentdirection than the pair of opposing flanges.
 16. The consumer productpackage of claim 14, wherein the at least one sealing block includes: apair of block sides extending linearly from the second surface towardthe pair of flanges; and a block top extending horizontally between thepair of block sides.
 17. The consumer product package of claim 16wherein the sealing block has a trapezoidal shape and wherein each ofthe block sides extends angularly towards the other block side andterminates at the block top.
 18. The consumer product package of claim14, wherein the detent and the opposing flanges are sealingly engagedthereby forming a tamper evident seal between the base and the cover.19. The consumer product package of claim 14, wherein the base and thecover are adapted to form a tamper-evident press-fit seal.
 20. Theconsumer product package of claim 14, wherein when the cover and thebase are sealingly engaged, there is no direct access to the pair ofopposing clip arms or the pair of opposing flanges.